Don't Try this At Work? (Teaching bass to a work colleague)

LeslieD · #1 01-10-2007, 01:46 PM

I've played bass for years and years (classical, and old time/bluegrass). I'm okay (not a professional and certainly NOT a soloist) and I'll never really brag about how well I play. Recently a work colleague saw me play in a few different places and said "I've always wanted to play the bass!" He works on a different floor, but I see him several times a week. He's probably about 48 or 50 and while he really enjoys music I don't think he has the first clue how to play anything.

I have an extra bass and offered to show him a few things and get him started in a local jam or two...then I realized that this could be a BIG mistake! (He's not "classical material" really, and I think he's only into the image of the whole thing).

Anyone else have a situation like this? What did you do? I actually think he'll dink around with it for awhile and then decide it's not for him...

Marcus Johnson · #2 01-10-2007, 02:00 PM

Why would it be a mistake?

MonetBass · #3 01-10-2007, 02:09 PM

If you're concerned about the time that it would involve, politely tell him that you'll have to charge him for lessons. He'll either commit to it or drop it, but at least you'll get something out of it.

LeslieD · #4 01-10-2007, 02:12 PM

A few things could go really wrong: 1) it's always harder than it looks, 2) I don't have any experience teaching anyone how to play the bass, 3) it's one more obligation in my very busy/crazy life, 4) we're doing this AT work (for various reasons) and this guy has told everyone that he's learning to play the bass, 5) and did I already mention that I don't have any experience teaching? Oh, and he's going to be going to all of MY jams (the kind where you really only want 1 bass to begin with)...

But...on the other side it might be fun, and he might end up being pretty good.

Marcus Johnson · #5 01-10-2007, 02:47 PM

I guess #4 is a problem. Can you teach him somewhere else, away from work? Otherwise, start soundproofing a storage room...

You can just tell him your concerns regarding your inexperience if you like, and don't charge him if you think you're not deserving income. But since you've played classical for years, there's surely some knowledge that you can pass on to a beginner. There's probably things you could teach me, and I've been doing it for a loooong time!

Busy schedule, well there's no getting around that. That's why I don't teach anymore.

If you want to learn how to teach, you'll have to give a first lesson at some point. I learned a lot from my students over the years.

As far as the jam session competition goes, it will be awhile before a beginner will be playing at the level you're most likely at already, unless he's a prodigy in the making. I've learned that a healthy community of players and peers is a good thing, and it's important to remember that there is always someone "better" than you right around the corner. Maybe you can show him the ropes, and then let him jam on a tune or two when he feels ready.

LeslieD · #6 01-10-2007, 03:33 PM

I have access to a sound proof [radio production] studio so we can use that I suppose.

I have no real interest in being a regular bass teacher, but I don't doubt that I could learn a lot from doing it. I'd just rather make the [teaching] mistakes with someone that I won't see all the time. Plus, I've played so long I don't think a lot about what or how I do anything, so explaining even the basics might be challenging.

Also, are there any good resources out there (online or otherwise) for lesson plans for beginning bass players?

hdiddy · #7 01-10-2007, 03:47 PM

How about just finding a teacher for him? Just tell him you just wanted to show him a few basics, and that a professional will do a much better job and suit him better.

It doesn't hurt to have like a string of 2 weeks where you're too busy during lunch to teach him. Oh... you just a had friends coming from outta town and you gotta meet them or somesuch, or just start working your lunch hours and go home early if you have flextime. Unless he's dense, he ought to get the message.

You can probably squirm outta without too much trouble.

mje · #8 01-10-2007, 06:12 PM

You know what? You made a comittment, and if you weasel out of it, the prospective student is going to resent you- and feel humiliated as well. And you're not going to feel good about it, either.

Give him the lessons. Start with some simple excercises, like a C and G scale. Then give him enough theory to understand what it means to play root and 5. Don't take him to jams; work with him privately, and THEN suggest a good teacher to go farther.

If he absolutely doesn't have an ear, or a sense of what he's doing, bacjk out graciously, and try to be nice about it.

Marcus Johnson · #9 01-10-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mje

You know what? You made a comittment, and if you weasel out of it, the prospective student is going to resent you- and feel humiliated as well. And you're not going to feel good about it, either.

Well, she really only committed to "showing him a few things" and hooking him up with some jam sessions (post #1). I doubt that he'll take it too personally if she tells the guy that her plate's too full to give him lessons.